Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

 

Published: October 23rd, 2012

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 368

Copy: From publisher via Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.


I just finished Dark Star and at the end of it I realised two things.  I really enjoy books about demons - and Dark Star does demons really well - and I'm not normally overfond of plot devices where the 'heroine' is lied to by ommision.  What I mean is, where 'people' - in this case read parents - keep someone in the dark about something for their own good, to keep them safe.  I think it is wrong not to tell someone about their heritage - or whatever the secret is - because it might 'hurt' them or be dangerous.  It never turns out well.

Of course, that said, that particular plot device is integral to the story of Dark Star, and in this case Ms Frenette does it successfully, so I was able to forgive her.  Maybe it was the demons?  Audrey's  journey to knowing what is going on is fraught with danger, and you'll realise there is a pun there if you read the book.  She has to navigate her way through various situations aware of virtually nothing, and pick up little tidbits along the way.  Personally, I think she handles it very well and I had a great deal of respect for her.  I  would have been furious.

Gideon was a wonderful friend to Audrey and I appreciated that there is no love interest between the two of them.  They are just friends, no strings.   Tink is also fun, but she has her head in the sand a little and I'm sure that is going to come back and haunt her in future books. Leon is a bit of an enigma and I enjoyed the fact that he is not the usual hottie.  Is there a love story?  Yes there is, but it was atypical and lovely - no spoilers.

There is lots of action throughout Dark Star with a nice mystery - who is the Remnant, what is Beneath, is Verrick really gone? I thought I had it sorted out several times, but in the end I was wrong, and I had several surprises.  And no nasty cliff hanger - nice going Ms Frenette.  Demons, danger and mystery - what's not to love? 

According to Ms Frenette's blog, Dark Star is the first in a series, with #2 coming out in 'about a year'. So I'll add it to my calendar and keep watch.  If you enjoyed The Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver or Rachel Vincent's Soul Seeker series I think you'll love this one.